The little-known apps kids are switching to ahead of social media ban

Monday, 1 December 2025 23:09

Millions of accounts will be closed in just 10 days but the biggest challenge may come after that.

Australian teenagers are already switching to new platforms ahead of the government's landmark under-16 social media ban.

Millions of accounts will be closed in just 10 days but the biggest challenge may come after that.

Some students have already shifted to smaller networks not found on the government's banned list.

EXPLAINER: Australia's world-first social media ban comes into effect this month. Here is what it will look like

"We watched what American kids did when TikTok went down - they went to Rednote, they went to Lemon8, which is an Instagram clone," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.

" … some of that is going to happen but that's what teenagers do."

Yope, a photo-sharing app listed as lifestyle in mobile app stores, is rocketing up the charts.

A report from Queensland University of Technology released today found young users wanted social media improved but didn't believe bans were the answer.

Nor did they believe the age restrictions were enforceable.

"Any attempt to just shut it off overnight like they're going to do is completely disregarding our kids' intelligence," Victorian Greens Senator Steph Hodgins-May said.

Education Minister Jason Clare said if other "equally insidious" platforms arose, MPs would be able to ban them too.

This would create a whack-a-mole situation with politicians attempting to keep up with tech innovators but Communications Minister Anika Wells insisted the focus would be on apps causing the most harm.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 07: The Minister for Sport, Minister for Communications the Hon Anika Wells MP answers questions in Question Time on October 07, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. Australia's parliament convened for sittings as a number of pressing issues come to the fore, from inflation and cost of living domestically to Australia's relationship with its allies in the region and beyond internationally. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)

"Big tech is agile, innovative and moves quickly, so we must do the same," she said.

"We expect the laws to be untidy but that doesn't mean it's not worth doing."

For now, most of popular apps on the banned list have begun informing users under 16 that their accounts will be shut down in the week ahead.

"This needs to be compassionate and kind because it's going to be a huge transition for young people," Inman Grant said.

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